All things bright and beautiful: Hiking in Hong Kong --- from Discovery Bay to Mui Wo

Despite the ubiquitous congested roads and crowded narrow streets, Hongkongers are blessed with the abundant choice of excellent hiking trails in the city, whether on Hong Kong Island, in the New Territories, on Lantau or some of the off-lying islands. One of these is the trail from Discovery Bay to Mui Wo on Lantau. One could go on this trail either way. Following some recommendation on the web, we chose to go from Discovery Bay to Mui Wo, and quite agreed that this was probably the easier way as it avoided a long climb up some stairs at the start had we gone the other way.

Discovery Bay may be reached by ferry from Central. This was I think only my second time ever to come to Discovery Bay. I might have been deterred from visiting Discovery Bay in the past by the hectic Hong Kong lifestyle and the preconception that anywhere not reachable by MTR is a far way off. Yet the tranquility of the Tai Pak Beach as viewed from the Ferry Pier made me feel that I should have come here more often.

Discovery Bay Ferry Pier

Tai Pak Beach 大白灣沙灘, viewed from Discovery Bay Ferry Pier

View from Discovery Bay Ferry Pier

Discovery Bay Ferry Pier

The starting point of the trail to Mui Wo was somewhat tricky to find. It is a path in front of Nim Shue Wan beach 稔樹灣. Some directions are provided by the following link:
http://www.hongkonghikes.com/2011/06/discovery-bay-to-mui-wo.html.

Nim Shue Wan 稔樹灣

At the end of Nim Shue Wan beach, following the sign "To Mui Wo via Trappist Haven Monastery" fist leads to a small village, Nim Shue Wan Tsuen. The path meanders past some small stone houses and patches of vegetable farmland. Once past the village, it is an ascending path towards the Trappist Haven Monastery, now known as Our Lady of Joy Abby 熙篤會神樂院/ 聖母神樂院.

Signs on several trees on the path, marking the 14 Stations of the Cross 苦路十四站, provide an extra indication that one is on the right track. The Stations are a series of images depicting Jesus Christ in the events of his trial, crucifixion and death.

One of the Stations of the Cross (or Way of Sorrows) 苦路十四站

At the end of the Stations of the Cross, there is a small garden, a good place to take a brief break in the hike. On the gate of the garden is an inscription of "Pax Intrantibus" or "Peace to those who enter". The garden is a mix of East and West, with a Chinese-styled Pavilion of the Virgin Mary at the centre. On leaving the garden, one is greeted with the blessing "Salus Exeuntibus", or "Good health to those who depart".

Entrance to garden of Trappist Haven Monastery, "Peace to those who enter"

A Chinese-styled Pavilion of the Virgin Mary in the garden

Garden of Trappist Haven Monastery, on exit: "Good health to those who depart"

Outside the garden, there is a small bridge that leads to the Chapel of the Monastery. The morning mass had just ended when we arrived at the Chapel.

Resurrected Christ --- King of kings and Lord of lords

Chapel, Trappist Haven Monastery

Continuing up the ascend up the hill offered a panoramic view of Peng Chau and other small islands.

View of Ping Chau from Lantau. With Trappist Monastery in the foreground.

Trail towards Mui Wo

One advantage of taking the trail going from Discovery Bay towards Mui Wo is that it lets one enjoy an excellent view of Silvermine Bay on the final descend down the hill.